Choosing a school for your child in Beijing? Conventional education or Montessori education? We had the honor to interview Robyn Eva from Beijing International Montessori Teaching Institute (IMTI) who did a great job in introducing us the IMTI and refreshing our minds on the key principles of Montessori education.
Last but not least, if working in a Montessori School is something you would consider, you have the opportunity to get all related training and certificates in Beijing! An option to consider for expat spouses who find difficult to get a job they love in Beijing.
IMTI has two key activities: Early Childhood Montessori Teacher Training and Professional Development Workshops. The Institute is located in Shunyi and offers fully equipped classrooms, with all related Montessori materials as well as Chinese culture & language training facilities.
Interview with Robyn Eva, Executive Director of International Montessori Teaching Institute (IMTI) 蒙台梭利教学法国际交流中心
- Are you the only accredited organism in China to open Montessori Schools and training centers?
There are a couple of Montessori training centers in China.
For anyone interested in gaining an international qualification it is important to see what credential the training institute offers.IMTI is affiliated by the American Montessori Society (AMS) and accredited by MACTE so it is an international credential.
IMTI is under the Wisdom International Education Group and under its umbrella has the International Montessori School of Beijing (MSB) (delivering Kindergarten and Elementary programs for over 25 years), Jiade Bilingual Montessori Kindergarten (JDM), Champagne Cove Bilingual Kindergarten and schools opening in Qingdao, Chengdu, Tianjin and Shanghai.
- Chinese nationals are accepted in your school.
Chinese nationals are accepted into IMTI for teacher training, and JDM kindergartens. Only students with international passports can attend at International Montessori School of Beijing (MSB). - Why Chinese parents consider Montessori School? Is it a growing trend?
Montessori education was established over 100 years ago.
Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952) was one of the most influential pioneers in early childhood education of the 1900s. Her ideas have become known and recognised throughout the world and have significantly influenced mainstream education. Having completed a degree in engineering, she pursued her primary interest – medicine. She was the first woman to graduate from the University of Rome Medical School, and she became interested in education only through her work as a doctor.
With her background in medicine, she approached education not as a philosopher but as a scientist. She used the classroom as her forum for observing children and for developing her ideas about the most effective way to help them achieve their full potential. Dr. Montessori put her ideas into practice, retaining and developing those that worked well.
Her success was so great that she travelled the world, establishing schools and lecturing about her discoveries while writing numerous books and articles. She died in Holland in 1952 at the age of 82 having profoundly influenced childhood education throughout the world. Today there are more than 8,000 and 200 public Montessori schools in the United States alone, and thousands more throughout Europe and Asia.Montessori education offers children opportunities to develop their potential
as they step out into the world
as engaged, competent, responsible, and respectful citizens
with an understanding and appreciation that learning is for life.
Each child is valued as a unique individual.
Beginning at an early age, Montessori students develop order, coordination, concentration, and independence.
Students are part of a close, caring community.
Montessori students enjoy freedom within limits.
Students are supported in becoming active seekers of knowledge.
Self-correction and self-assessment are an integral part of the Montessori classroom approach.
Given the freedom and support to question, to probe deeply, and to make connections, Montessori students become confident, enthusiastic, self-directed learners.They are able to think critically, work collaboratively, and act boldly—a skill set for the 21st century. - Training options: Can participants get certification afterwards? if yes, is it recognized in all countries?
The International Montessori Teaching Institute (IMTI) delivers a bilingual synchronous teaching program to prepare adults to work in Montessori schools. The Early Childhood (3-6 year old) course is internationally recognized, affiliated with the American Montessori Society (AMS) and is accredited by MACTE.
It commences in July and October. This is ideal for expats as they can gain a qualification while living and working in Beijing. The AMS Montessori teacher training successful completion provides the participants with an internationally recognised credential so when
they return home they can also teach in a Montessori kindergarten.
Based on the “National Training Project” which has been conducted by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China, and under the cooperation with the National Institute of Vocational Education, Beijing Normal University (BNU), IMTI provides a selection of Preschool Education Professional Development Courses with a BNU certificate on completion.
BNU will support IMTI to develop a related series of early childhood and leadership courses for all educators. BNU will guide and supervise the cooperation project to ensure the educational quality of the training. - Besides Montessori Schools, you also offer trainings for parents and also for people, could you please tell more about those workshops?
These workshops will be from 2 -5 days on topics covering:- Leadership Certification Course for Educational Leaders
- The role of a Montessori Teacher
- The latest in brain research in relations to emotional intelligence to intellectual intelligence
IMTI offers Professional Development workshops for Teachers from all schools not just Montessori. IMTI offers bilingual translations during the ‘hands on’ workshops if required. We can deliver the training at your school specifically to suit your needs. We have a vast array of local and international teaching staff to provide a variety of different topics.
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Instant translation is offered during your training sessions: personal development is getting more and more interest from Chinese people. Do they have same interrogations as Western parents?
Parents and teachers are always interested in learning more to help children develop, both cultures share the same interrogations for their kids. -
How many participants follow your trainings?
IMTI delivered the AMS Montessori teacher training to 50 students last year. Our professional development workshops attract many participants and are delivered monthly. -
Do you offer personal development training for companies? Eg: training offer for a certain level of responsibility or department?IMTI delivers specific training tailored to suit the needs of schools or businesses.
We meet to discuss your training needs then allocate the appropriate trainer to deliver workshops to enhance the skills of the participants
Many thanks to Robyn Eva, Executive Director 中心主任
To know more about IMTI, check below contact details
and follow their Wechat account:
enquiry@imti-china.com
International Montessori Teaching Institute 蒙台梭利教学法国际交流中心
Opening hours: Mon- Fri 9am-5:30pm
Address: 688 Glory Palace No 2, Shunfu Road, Renhe Town, Shunyi District, Beijing, China 1013000 (中国北京市顺义区仁和镇顺福路2号御墅688号)
Tel: 010-8949 6877
www.imti-china.com
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